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Troup County saw its number of COVID-19 cases and deaths continue to skyrocket on Friday afternoon.

According to the latest numbers from the Georgia Department of Public Health, there are now 22 deaths in Troup County, an increase of nine from Thursday. The county also has 701 cases, an increase of 88 from Thursday.

Of the 22 deaths, four have occurred in individuals 90 and above. Five have occurred in individuals 80-89, five have occurred in individuals 70-79 and five have occurred in individuals ages 60-69. Two people in the 50-59 age group have died and one person under 49 — a 37-year-old female — have died.

Eighteen females have died in Troup County and four males.

Fourteen of the deaths have occurred in people who classify their race as black and and six who classify their race as white. Two of the individuals who died had an unknown race.

Sixteen of the deaths occurred in a person with an underlying condition.

There have been two known outbreaks in Troup County. One is at LaGrange Nursing and Rehab and the other at the Troup County Jail.

According to GDPH’s long-term facility report, which was updated Friday, there are 62 resident cases at LaGrange Nursing and Rebab. Twenty-two staff members have also had COVID-19, according to the report.

The Troup County Sheriff’s Office estimated Friday that two dozen inmates have had COVID-19 at the Troup County Jail.

Troup County has seen its reported cases jump nearly 300 in June. The county had 404 total cases as of May 30, an increase of 297 cases in 12 days, an average of nearly 25 per day. GDPH also notes that cases within the last 14 days may not yet be accounted for or test results may still be pending.

District 4 Public Health recommends the following guidelines to stop the spread of COVID-19:

• Practice social distancing; keep at least 6 feet between yourself and other people even while wearing a mask.
• Wash your hands; use soap and water and scrub for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer (60% alcohol) if soap and water aren’t readily available.
• Wear a mask; The CDC now recommends the use of face masks to help slow the spread of COVID-19, especially where social distancing is difficult to maintain (grocery stores, pharmacies, etc.), and especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.
• The CDC also advises the use of simple cloth face coverings to slow the spread of the virus and help people who may have the virus and do not know it from transmitting it to others.